Auto-limber.



L; L. BRIGGS.

AUTO UMBER.

APPLICATION man JULY 26. 1916.

4 SHEETS-SHEET I.

\ vwewtoz {Li-Z0729 a; f I fiazbrngyx.

Patented J um; 19, 1917.

4 SHEETS-SHEET 2.

L. L. DRlGGS.

AUTO LIIVIBER.

APPLICATION FILED JULY 26. I916- PatentedJune19, 1917.

Q w I "i Y L. L. BRIGGS.

AUTO LIMBER.

APPLICATION mm JULY 26, 1916.

Patented June 19, 1917.

i 5 vwe'wtoz 299 Patented June 19, 1917.

4 SHEETSSHEET 4.

5 nvewtoz Lllflnz MQ L. L. DRIGGS.

AUTO UMBER. APPLICATION FILED JULY 26. I916.

uuuu hnnnuum a-H:

LOUIS L. names, or NEW YORK, n. Y.

AUTO-LIMBER.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented. June 19, 1917.-

Application filed July 2d, 1916. Serial No. 111,515.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, LOUIS L. DRIGGS, a citizen of the United States, residing at New York, in'the county of New York and State of New York, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Auto-Limbers; and I do hereby declare the following to be a full, clear, and exact description of the invention, such as will enable others skilled in the art to which it appertains to make and use the same.

My present invention relates to automobile limbers for use with field artillery, and has for its general object to provide means for placing a gun in battery, and for discharging on the ground in the rear of the gun, the ammunition therefor, without exposing the guns crew to the enemys fire.

My invention will be understood by reference to the accompanying drawings, in which similar reference symbols indicate similar parts throughout the several views,- and in which:

Figure 1 is a side elevation of the autolimber showing the muzzle of the gun broken away.

Fig. 2 is a top plan view of a portion of the auto-limber with parts broken away, to show the parts beneath.

Fig. 3 is a longitudinal sectional view of that portion of the auto-limber shown in Fig. 2, but showing the door in different positions, and showing the shelf tilted in dotted lines.

Fig. i is a rear elevation of a portion of the auto-limber with parts broken away; and

Fig. 5 is a detail perspective view of one of the ejectors and its guide bars.

The auto-limber consists of a chassis 1 upon which is built up an armor plate inclosure 2 for housing the men, engine and ammunition.

The gun carriage 3 is hooked to the rear of the limber, and means are provided whereby the carriage may be released from the limber by an operator in the cab.

Vhen the gun has been placed in the dcsired position the chauffeur by means of the foot pedal 4:, located in the cab, releases the trail of the gun carriage from a hook 5 (see Fig. 3) located at the rear of the limber. The pedal is connected by means of a rod 6 to a trigger 7, in the form of a bell crank, which is pivotally mounted on a shaft 8 journaled in bearings 8 mounted on the chassis adjacent the rear end thereof.

The outer end of the bell crank is forked and is arranged so as to engage the trail of the gun at each side of the hook, as shown in Fig. 3, so that when the pedal is pushed to its forward position, the bell crank is rocked lifting the eye 3 of the trail from the hook 5, and as the auto-limber is started forward the trail, being released from the hook, drops to the ground. After the autolimber has been moved the desired distance from the gun it is stopped, and the operation of discharging the ammunition then proceeds.

The ammunition is housed Within an armor plate chest 9 located on the rear of the chassis frame. A door 10 hinged as at 10 to the chassis frame is provided for closing the rear of the chest. This door has a flap 10 hinged to its upper end adapted to swing over the rearwupper portion of the ammunition chest, and form a partial cover for same. The door 10 and flap 10 are provided with suitable reinforcing ribs 10 and 10 and hinged to the door are the side props 11 to form supporting parts for the door and fiap when the same are in the lowered position shown in dotted lines in Fig. 3.

The door 10 is arranged to be opened by an operator within the cab, as will now be described. Located within convenient reach of the operator is an operating handle 12, which through sprocket and chain connection 18, rotates a shaft 14 upon which are mounted two pulleys, 15, (see Fig. 2). Over these pulleys are wound cables 16 which are carried rearwardly, are trained over sheaves 17 mounted on the rear outer sides of the ammunition chest, and are connected to the door 10 at each side thereof. Aratchet and pawl connection as indicated at 18 normally prevents the turning .of the shaft except in one direction.

The ammunition boxes 20 are preferably arranged in two tiers. I have shown three boxes in each tier; and it is desired to eject the lower tier first and then the upper tier as will now be described.

The'bottom plate 9 of the ammunition chest is provided with a series of antifriction rollers 21 adapted to engage and support the bottoms of the ammunition boxes 20, between which rollers I provide guide boxes 22, preferably with overhanging flanges 22 adapted to engage the flanges" 28, which props are connected by the links 31 and the arms 30, fast to the rock shaft 27, to which rock shaft, the handle 29 is also rigidly attached. If the handle 29 be moved from the position shown infull lines to theposition shown in dotted lines in Fig.

3, the props 28 will be withdrawn from beneath the ammunition boxes, and the shelf 26 will be tilted down to the in dotted lines in Fig. 3.

A suitable seat 40 (see Fig. is provided for the chauffeur, and crew.

The operation of the device is as follows: The parts being in position shown in Fig. 1 the automobile is stopped and pedal 4 is position shown pushed down releasing the hook 5 from engagement with the trail of the gun, and when the automobile is started forward, the trail will drop to the ground and the gun will be in batteryr After the automobile has proceeded to a short distance to the rear, it is stopped and the hand crank 12 is rotated until the door 10 falls to the position shown in full lines in Fig. 3, at which times the props 11 will rest on the ground, and will support the door in a substantially horizontal position.

Now by operating the ejectors 23 by means of the handles 26, the ammunition boxes are forced out on to the door 1.0. When the desired number of these have been ejected, a

slight forward movement of the automobile will cause the props 11 to swing from beneath the support of the door 10, and the door 10 and flap l0 will swing to the position shown in dotted lines in Fig. 3 and the ammunition boxes will slide to the ground.

Now if the automobile be moved forward again a slight distance and. the handle 29 be turned from the position shown in full lines to the position shown in dotted lines in Fig. 3, the shelf 26 will swing down to the position shown in dotted lines in Fig. 3, and will form a slide way for the ammunition boxes on said shelf, all of which boxes will slide down said shelf, door 10, and flap 1O tothe ground, and will .be readily available for the guns crew.

It will be noted that the to door 10 will serve as to the door 10, and the flap props 1 1 hinged 10 when the supporting rails same are in the lowered position shown in dotted-lines in Fig.. 3.

Should it be desired to return any of. the unused ammunition boxes to the limber, the door may be returned to the position shown in full lines in F ig. 3, and the ammunition boxes replaced on either the shelf 26 or the chamber beneath same, and the door may be swung back to the closed position, the parts being returned to the initial position.

The ammunition door 'is closed by simply turning the hand crank 12 in the reverse Thus it will be seen that the am munition boxes on the lower tier may be direction.

ejected and dumped singly or they-may all three be ejected and dumped simultaneously,

while the ammunition boxes on the upper tier may be all dumped at one operation.

During movement from place'to place the guns crew are carried 1n the cab and pro tected from small-arm fire by the armor thereof, and the gun may be readily thrown into action and the ammunition promptly supplied to the rear thereof as herein de scribed.

It will be obvious that various modifications might be made in the herein described apparatus and in the construction, combination and arrangement of parts which could v be used wlthout departing from the spirit of my invention.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim and desire to secure by Letters Patent of the United States is:'

' 1. In an auto-limber, the combination with a chassis and an armored body carried thereby, of anammunition chestcarried by. said armored body, a hinged door normally closing one end of said ammunition chest, said door being. adapted when in the lowered position to form a slideway for the ammunition boxes, and means operable from the interior of said armored body for raising and lowering said door, substantially as described. V

2. In an auto-limber, the combination with a chassis and an armored body carried thereby, of an ammunition chest carried by.

said armored body, ahinged door normally closing one end of said ammunition chest, props hinged to the sides of said door, said props serving as supports for said door when in the lowered position, and means operable from the interior of said armoredbody for raising and lowering said door, substantially as described.

3. In an a'uto-limber, the combination with a chassis, and a platform mounted thereon,

of an ammunition chest carried by said platform at the rear end thereof, a hinged door normally closing the rear end of said ammunition chest, a flap hinged to the upper end of said door, andadapted to close part of the top of said chest, props hinged to the sides of said door, said props serving as supports for said door, when lowered to the substantially horizontal position, and also as supports for said door and flap when in the lowered position, said door and flap being adapted when in the lowered position to form a slideway for the ammunition boxes, with means for raising and lowering said door, substantially as described.

4. In an auto-limber, the combination with a chassis and a platform mounted thereon, of an ammunition chest carried by said platform at the rear end thereof, antifriction rollers mounted in the base of said ammunition chest, and supporting the ammunition boxes resting thereon, means operable from the interior of the limber for pushing said ammunition boxes-rearward in said chest, a hinged door normally closing the rear end of said ammunition chest, said door being adapted when in the lowered position to form a slideway for the ammunition boxes with means for raising and lowering said door, substantially as described.

5. In an auto-limber, the combination with a chassis, and a platform mounted thereon, of an ammunition chest carried by said platform at the rear end thereof, antifriction rollers mounted in the base of said ammunition chest, and supporting the ammunition boxes resting thereon, means operable from the interior of the limber for pushing said ammunition boxes rearward in said chest, a hinged door normally closing the rear end of said ammunition chest, a flap hinged to the upper end of said door, and adapted to close part of the top of said chest, props hinged to the sides of said door, said props serving as supports for said door, when lowered to the substantially horizontal position, and also as supports for said door and flap when in the lowered position, said door and flap being adapted when in the lowered position to form a slideway for the ammunition boxes, with means for raising and lowering said door, substantially as described.

6. In an auto-limber, the combination with a chassis and an armored body carried thereby, of an ammunition chest carried 7 by said armored body, a hinged shelf mounted in said ammunition chest and dividing the same into an upper and a lower compartment for the storage of ammunition boxes, means for tilting said shelf when desired, a hinged door normally closing one end of said ammunition chest, said door being adapted when in the lowered position to form a slideway for the ammunition boxes, and means operable from the interior of said armored body for raising and lowering said door, substantially as described.

4. In an auto-limber, the combination with a chassis and an armored body carried thereby, of an ammunition chest carried by said armored body, a hinged shelf mounted in said ammunition chest and dividing the same into an upper and a lower compartment for the storage of ammunition boxes, means for tilting said shelf when desired, a hinged door normally closing one end of said ammunition chest, props hinged to the sides of said door, said. props'serving as supports for said door when in the loweredposition, and means operable from the interior of said armored body for raising and lowering said door, substantially as described.

8. In an auto-limber, the combination with a chassis, and a platform mounted thereon, of an ammunition chest carried by said platform at the rear end thereof, a hinged shelf mounted in said ammunition chest and dividing the same into an upper and a lower compartment for the storage of ammunition boxes, means for tilting said shelf when desired, and a hinged door normally closing the rear end of said ammunition chest, said door being adaptedwhen in the lowered position to form a slideway for the ammunition boxes, with means for raising and lowering said door, substantially as described.

9. In an auto-limber, the combination with a chassis, and a platform mounted thereon, of an ammunition chest carried by said platform at the rear end thereof, a hinged shelf mounted in said ammunition chest and dividing the same into an upper and a lower compartment for the storage of ammunition boxes, means for tilting said shelf when desired, a hinged door normally closing the rear end of said ammunition chest, a flap hinged to the upper end of said door, and adapted to close part of the top of 7 said chest, props hinged to the sides of said door, said props serving as supports for said door, when lowered to the substantially horizontal position, and also as supports for said door and flap when in the lowered position, said door and flap being adapted when in the lowered position to form a slideway for the ammunition boxes, with means for raising and lowering said door, substantially as described.

10. In an auto-limber, the combination with a chassis and a platform mounted thereon, of an ammunition chest carried by said platform at the rear end thereof, a hinged shelf mounted in said ammunition chest and dividing the same into an upper and a lower compartment for the storage of ammunition boxes, means for tilting said shelf when desired, antifriction rollers mounted in the base of said ammunition chest, and supporting the ammunition boxes resting thereon, means operable from the interior of the limber for pushing said ammunition boxes rearward in said chest, hinged door normally closing the rear end of said ammunition chest, said door being adapted when in the lowered position to form a slideway for the ammunition boxes with means for raising and lowering said door, substantially as described.

11. In an auto-limber, the combination with a chassis, and a platform mounted thereon, of an ammunition chest carried by said platform at the rear end thereof, a hinged shelf mounted in said ammunition chest and ,dividingthe same into an upper and a lower compartment for the storage of ammunition boxes, means for tilting said shelf when desired, antifriction rollers mounted in the base of said ammunition chest, and supporting the ammunition boxes resting thereon, means operable from the interior of the limber for pushing said ammunition boxes rearward in said chest, a hinged door normally closing the rear end of said ammunition chest, a flap hinged to the upper end of said door, and adapted to close part of the top of said chest, props hinged to the sides'of said door, said props serving as supports for said door, when lowered to the substantially horizontal position, and also as supports for said door and flap when in the lowered position, said door and flap being adapted when in the lowered position to form a slideway for the ammunition boxes, with means for raising and lowering said door, substantially as de-,

tion, chest carried by said armored body, a hinged, door normally closing one end of said ammunition chest, said door being adapted when in the lowered position to form a slidway for the ammunition boxes, and means operable from the interior of said armored body for raising and lowering said door, substantially as described,

13. In an auto-limber, the combination with a chassis and an armored body carried thereby, of means for attaching the trail of a gun to the rear thereof, and means operable from the interior of the limber for releasing said attaching means, an ammunition chest carried by said armored body, a hinged door normally closing one end of said ammunition chest, props hinged to the sides of said door, said props serving as supports for said door when in the lowered position, and means operable from the interior of said armored body for raising and lowering said door, substantially as dethereon, of means for attaching the trail of V a gun to the rear thereof, and means operthe combin ation able from theinterior. of the limber for releasing said attaching means, an ammunichest, said door being adapted when in the V lowered position to form a slideway for the ammunition boxes with means for raising and lowering said door, substantially as described.

15. In an auto-limber, the combination with a chassis, and a platform mounted thereon, of means for attaching the trail of a gun to the rear thereof, and means operable from the interior of the limber for releasingsaid attaching means, anammunition chest carried by said platform at the rear end thereof, a hinged door normally closing the rear end of said ammunition chest, a flap hinged to the upper end of said door, and adapted to close part of the top of said chest, props hinged to the sides of the door, said props serving as supports for saidv door, when lowered to the substantially horizontal position, and also as supports for said door and flap when in the lowered position, said door and flap being adapted when in the lowered position to form a slideway for the ammunition boxes, with means for raising and lowering said door, substantially as described.

16. In an auto-limber, the combination with a chassis and a platform mounted thereon, of means for attaching the trail of a gun to the rear thereof, and means operable from the interior of the limber for releasing said attaching means, an ammunition chest carried by said platform at the rear end thereof, antifriction rollers mounted in the base of said ammunition chest, and

thereon, of means for attaching the trail of a gun to the rear thereof, and means operable from the interior of the limber for releasing said attaching means, an ammunition chest carried by said platform at the rear end thereof, anti-friction rollers mounted in the base of said ammunition chest, and supporting the ammunition boxes resting thereon, means operable from the interior of the limber for pushing said ammunition boxes rearward in said chest, a hinged door normally closing the rear end of said am munition chest, a flap hinged to the upper end of said door, and adapted to close part with a chassis and an armored body carried thereby, of means for attaching the trail of a gun to the rear thereof, and means operable from the interior of the limber for releasing said attaching means, an ammunition chest carried by said armored body, a hinged shelf mounted in said ammunition chest and dividing the same into an upper and a lower compartment for the storage of ammunition boxes, means for tilting said shelf when desired, a hinged door normally closing one end of said ammunition chest, said door being adapted when in the lowered position to form a slideway for the ammunition boxes, and means operable from the interior of said armored body for raising and lowering said door, substantially as described.

19. In an auto-limber, the combination with a chassis and an armored body carried thereby, of means for attaching the trail of a gun to the rear thereof, and means operable from the interior of the limber for releasing said attaching means, an ammunition chest carried by said armored body, a hinged shelf mounted in said ammunition chest and dividing the same into an upper and a lower compartment for the storage of ammunition boxes, means for tilting said shelf when desired, a hinged door normally closing one end of said ammunition chest, props hinged to the sides of said door, said props serving as supports for said door when in the lowered position, and means operable from the interior of said armored body for raising and lowering said door, substantially as described.

20. In an auto-limber, the combination with a chassis, and a platform mounted thereon, of means for attaching the trail of a gun to the rear thereof, and means operable from the interior of the limber for releasing said attaching means, an ammunition chest carried by said platform at the rear end thereof, a hinged shelf mounted in said ammunition chest and dividing the same into an upper and a lower compartment for the storage of ammunition boxes, means for tilting said shelf when desired, a

hinged door normally closing the rear end i of said ammunition chest, said door being adapted when 1n the lowered position to form a slideway for the ammunition boxes with means for raising and lowering said door, substantially as described.

21. In an auto-limber, the combination with a chassis, and a platform mounted thereon, of means for attaching the trail of a gun to the rear thereof, and means operable from the interior of the limber for re leasing said attaching means, an ammunition chest carried by said platform at the rear end thereof, a hinged shelf mounted in said ammunition chest and dividing: the same into an upper and a lower compartment for the storage of ammunition boxes, means for tilting said shelf when desired, a hinged door normally closing the rear end of said ammunition chest, a flap hinged to the upper end of said door, and adapted to close part of the top of said chest, props hinged to the sides of said door, said props.

serving as supports for said door, when lowered to the substantially horizontal position, and also as supports for said door and fia when in the lowered position, said door anc flap being adapted when in the lowered position to form a slideway for the ammunition boxes, with means for raising and lowering said door, substantially as described.

22. In an auto-limber, the combination with a chassis, and a platform mounted thereon, of means for attaching the trail of a gun to the rear thereof, and means operable from the interior of the limber for releasing said attaching means, an ammunition chest carried by said platform at the rear end thereof, a hinged shelf mounted in said ammunition chest and dividing the same into an upper and a lower compartment for the storage of ammunition boxes, means for tilting said shelf when desired, antifriction rollers mounted in the base of said ammunition chest, and supporting the ammunition boxes resting thereon, means operable from the interior of the limber for pushing said ammunition boxes rearward in said chest, a hinged door normally closing the rear end of said ammunition chest, said door being adapted when in the lowered position to form a slideway for the ammunition boxes with means for raising and lowering said door, substantially as described.

23. In an auto-limber, the combination with a chassis, and a platform mounted thereon, of means for attaching the trail of a gun to the rear thereof, and means operable from the interior of the limber for releasing said attaching means, an ammunition chest carried by said platform at the rear end thereof, a hinged shelf mounted in said ammunition chest and dividing the same into an upper and a lower compartment for the storage of ammunition boxes, means for tilting said shelf when desired, antifriction rollers mounted in the base of said ammunition chest, vand supporting the ammunition boxes resting thereon, means operable from the interior of the limber for pushing said ammunition boxes rearward in said chest, a hinged door normally closing the rear end of said ammunition chest, a flap hinged to the upper end of said door, and adapted to close part of the top of said chest, props hinged to the sides of said door, vsaid props serving as supports for said door, when lowered to the substantially horizontal position, and-also as supports for said door and flap when in the lowered position, said door and flap being adapted when in the lowered position to form a slideway for 15 LOUIS L. DRIGGS.

Copies of this patent may be obtained for five cents each, by addressingthe Commissioner of Patents, Washington, D. G. 

